Park Avenue Baptist Church Prayer and Fasting Initiative Booklet (2021)
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Park Avenue Baptist Church
Prayer and Fasting
Initiative Booklet
(2021)
12
Prayer and Fasting
Table of Contents
Overview of Prayer & Fasting Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fasting - A Personal Challenge ................. 6
Fasting Guidelines and Information .............. 9
21-Day Devotional for Prayer & Fasting. . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3PABC 2021 Church-wide Prayer
and Fasting Initiative
Starting Monday, January 11th, we will begin a 4-week
church-wide prayer and fasting emphasis. Fasting is a way
to humble our hearts and focus our full attention on seeking
and hearing God. Combining fasting with prayer can result
in a spiritual atomic bomb that pulls down strongholds and
releases the power of God in our personal lives and the life
of the church. We invite you to join us in this church-wide
effort as we begin 2021 with putting prayer first!
The Bible teaches the importance of prayer and fasting in
both the Old Testament and New Testament for seeking God
and advancing His Kingdom. A 21-day devotional, “God’s
Heart in Fasting”, is provided as well. Some scriptural ben-
efits to prayer and fasting include:
• Helping us to hear from God. In Exodus 34:28 Moses
fasted bread and water and wrote down the Ten Com-
mandments.
• In response to a burden from the Lord as Ezra showed in
Ezra 10:6.
• In seeking spiritual breakthroughs as Daniel did coming
before the Lord seeking restoration and renewal for Israel
in Daniel 10:3.
• As Jesus modeled in preparation for His mission, resist-
ing Satan and being strengthened by the Word and the
Spirit in Luke 4:1-2.
• In being set apart, consecrated for special ministry as
the early church modeled in electing and commissioning
leaders in Acts 13:2-3 and 14:23
• As a discipline for the Christian faith in denying our flesh
and pursuing the Spirit’s work in our lives. (Romans
13:14; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3:5)
4• To “loose the bonds of wickedness” and “break every
enslaving yoke” (Isaiah 58:6)
Practical Aspects of Fasting (you seek the Lord and de-
cide what is best for you)
When do I fast? What do I fast? How long will I fast? (please
see the PABC resource, “Fasting – a Personal Challenge”.
If this is your first time fasting, then please read the “Fast-
ing Guidelines and Information” resource provided by the
church.
Kinds of Fasting (there are various kinds of fasts to prac-
tice; and again, please seek the Lord and simply obey what
He says is right for you at this time.)
• Partial (One meal One day a week; One day once a
month, etc.)
• Total (extended time of fasting, Three days to a week or
more)
• Special (on a strategic day or for a special event)
• Corporate (a call for a church-wide fast)
5Fasting - A Personal Challenge
After fasting forty days and forty nights, He (Jesus) was
hungry. (Matthew 4:2)
As a Christ follower, one of the most awesome disciplines
we can implement is the discipline of fasting. The Bible
Encyclopedia defines fasting this way: “To afflict the soul or
self, the practice of self-denial.” The Bible describes many
types of fasts, as well as many different purposes for them.
In the Old Testament, fasts were observed before certain
feasts. People undertook fasts as a part of the mourning
process after the death of a loved one. Fasting was also
used when seeking divine favor, protection, or as evidence
of sorrow for sin. The fast could have been abstaining from
a certain food, total abstinence from all food and/or wash-
ing, anointing, and sleeping. The length of time could vary
from one day, from sunrise to sunrise (Judges 20), seven
days (1 Samuel 31), to as many as 40 days (Exodus 34).
Although fasting is often recommended as a modern means
of improving health, the foundation of this discipline was
spiritual.
As a person who loves food, maybe you have never been a
big fan of fasting. Since fasting has mostly been connected
to food for many people, to go a meal or two without eating
can seem totally foreign. Different ministers speak about the
spiritual benefits of fasting, and although the principles are
clearly in scripture, it is not until you actually practice the
discipline of fasting that you can began to experience great
spiritual benefits.
How do you fast? Some people simply fast one meal and
devote that time to pray, rather than eating. There are oth-
ers who have fasted from certain kinds of food, like choco-
late. Every time they would desire this food, they would be
6reminded to seek God in prayer about a certain subject
instead. There are also some who have had what they call
“media” fasts, denying themselves TV viewing or social me-
dia (Face Book, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc.)
or other entertainment, investing that time instead with God.
Essentially, in a fast, we deny ourselves something we’re
accustomed to, in exchange for intimacy with God, in-
creased ability to hear from Him and to discern His will.
That’s a sweet deal!
The most common way to do a food fast is to abstain from
food, drink lots of water, and occasionally, juice. Another
type of fast that includes some food is a bread and water
fast, denying yourself other foods that you might normally
eat and enjoy.
Prayer and fasting for loved ones’ marriages, direction for
personal decisions, or for a friend or critical issue are all ex-
cellent ways to experience the power of prayer and fasting.
You will more than likely be amazed at what God will do in
you and through in this spiritual discipline. In our self-indul-
gent, microwave, fast food world, most of us desire instant
gratification. We want what we want now. Fasting is a tre-
mendous discipline that denies self. The first principle in fol-
lowing Christ is that we deny ourselves. Then we are to pick
up our cross and follow Him. As we learn to deny ourselves,
occasionally, for a spiritual fast, this discipline transfers into
other areas of our life. It strengthens us to deny sin, rebuke
Satan, and reject selfishness.
If you are seeking God’s direction, desiring an answer from
God, or simply wanting to grow closer to Him, make fasting
a part of your relationship with God. Even Jesus, the Son of
the living God, fasted for forty days and forty nights. If it was
an important discipline in Jesus’ life, then it should be im-
portant enough for us.
7A Prayer as we enter a time of Fasting:
Lord, we desire You above all else. Give us wisdom and di-
rection in fasting, so that we can draw closer to You. Please
provide us with a clear path, and give us energy, focus, and
resolve as we fast. We pray that as we are obedient to You,
we would experience You in ways we never have before.
Steps to begin your time of Fasting:
• List three things that might require prayerful fasting. A
personal decision? A prayer request for someone else?
For deeper intimacy with God? For our city, state, and
nation, etc.
• Spend some time today seeking the Lord to determine
if He is calling you to fast about any of these things, and
what He’s calling you to fast from. (food, drink, media, an
activity that requires regular amount of your time, atten-
tion, or energy, etc.)
• Consider how this area of your relationship with God
could be an opportunity for growth or breakthrough in
your spiritual life. Now step out in faith as God leads!
8Fasting Guidelines and Information
Practical Insights from The International House of
Prayer, Kansas City
“Fasting begets prophets and strengthens strong men.
Fasting makes lawgivers wise; it is the soul’s safeguard,
the body’s trusted comrade, the armor of the champion,
the training of the athlete.” — Basil, Bishop of Caesarea
(AD 330–379)
“Combining fasting with prayer can result in a spiritual
atomic bomb that pulls down strongholds and releases
the power of God in our personal lives and the life of the
church.” — Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ
“There has been a resurgence of Prayer and Fasting
initiatives in recent decades, as God calls His people to
regular fasting as part of a normal Christian lifestyle. We
must prepare ourselves adequately so that the fast can
honor God and fulfill its purpose.”— Mike Bickle, Inter-
national House of Prayer, Kansas City
The following is a detailed overview of biblical precedent
and specific guidelines for wise fasting to help and en-
courage you. We strongly encourage everyone to con-
sider any health concerns before attempting any sort of
lengthy fast and, if needed to consult a doctor first.
Fasting Is Biblical
The practice of regular fasting as normal Christian be-
havior was taught by Jesus (Mt. 6:16–17, 9:15), exer-
cised by the early church (Acts 13:2), and has been the
regular discipline of believers throughout church history.
The practice of fasting in Scripture usually includes, but
is not limited to, abstinence from food (Dan. 10:3) and
may be engaged in for varying durations—typically for
9no more than a few days at a time.
Abstaining from all food for extended periods of time is
biblical, but was rare and unusual in Scripture (Ex. 34:28;
1 Kings. 19:5-8; Lk. 4:2), and thus should never be un-
dertaken without counsel and appropriate supervision.
The same standard applies to an absolute fast (Esther
fast—no food or water for three days) of any duration
(Esther 4:16). The maximum length of an adult fast that
is biblically supported is forty days without food for an
adult in good health, and three days without water. The
Bible does not speak of children engaging in fasting
food.
Fasting Is Always Voluntary
Though spiritual leaders may invite others to join in
corporate fasting with a specific goal in mind and for a
specific time, fasting can never be forced or made com-
pulsory. The level at which a person engages in fasting
(particularly food) should be determined according to
age and with regard to any physical limitations. Those
with a known or suspected physical disability or illness,
or those with any history of an eating disorder, should
never fast, except in consultation with, and under the
supervision of, a qualified doctor. Pregnant or nursing
mothers should not fast food or drink as it could nega-
tively affect the health and development of their baby
and their own personal health.
Minors/Children
Minors are discouraged from fasting food and should
never engage in fasting without express parental consent
and oversight. Minors who desire to fast are encouraged
to consider non-food abstentions, such as TV, movies,
Internet surfing, video games, and other entertainment.
If older teenagers do fast food under their parents’ su-
pervision, we encourage them to use juice and protein
10drinks to sustain them, out of consideration for their
health and metabolism.
The Benefits of Fasting
While the physical impact of fasting is real, the spiritual
benefits of fasting are undeniable. Any fast undertaken must
be done with spiritual wholeheartedness and wisdom when
dealing with our physical body; we must count the cost
honestly and honor the temple of the Holy Spirit. Whether
we are partaking or abstaining, everything should be for the
glory of God.
Physically Preparing for a Fast That Extends More Than
Two Days
• Prepare your body for the fast and prevent constipation
during and after the fast by eating certain preventative
foods at least two days beforehand (even longer before
an extended fast), such as: fresh fruit and raw vegeta-
bles, fruit or vegetable juices, oatmeal, etc.
• Eat smaller meals a few days prior to the fast.
• Avoid high-fat and sugary foods before the fast.
• Make your commitment and determine the length. You
can fast in many different ways. Pray, and ask God what
He will give you faith for in terms of the duration of the
fast.
• A Daniel fast, with vegetables and water, is good for
those carrying a heavy workload. https://ultimatedaniel-
fast.com/recipes/
• A fruit or vegetable juice fast allows you to enter into
fasting but still gives enough energy to function. (for
example, the Cabbage Soup Fast – see Pastor Steve)
Many people have done a 40-day juice fast. If you have
sugar sensitivities or problems (e.g., diabetes), consult
your doctor before attempting this (or any other) fast.
• A water-only fast has been undertaken by many people.
We would not encourage this without strong medical
supervision, particularly in the case of young people.
11Depending on your weight and metabolism, you can go
forty days on water alone.
• A total fast is without food or water (all liquids). Never
go beyond three days without water. Discuss your plans
with your doctor and spouse or parents. We do not en-
courage the kind of fasting that abstains from all liquids
without specific confirmation from the Lord through your
church leadership or parents/spouse, etc.
Helpful Hints for Your Fast (Physical)
• Drink plenty of water. (Drinking at least half of your body
weight in ounces of water per day is a good rule of
thumb whether you are fasting or not.)
• It is wise to abstain from strong stimulants such as caf-
feinated and sugary drinks during a fast, including the
artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks. Also, avoid soy
protein drinks, which have been known to cause health
problems during a fast.
• If you are on a juice fast, drink raw fruit juices such as
apple, grape, and pineapple, which are excellent sources
of necessary natural sugar to stabilize blood sugar and
keep energy levels up. Orange and grapefruit juice are
also good, but they are not recommended for arthritis or
allergy sufferers. Monitor juice acidity carefully as it can
cause canker sores (mouth ulcers). Raw vegetable juices
such as carrot, celery, beet, or green vegetable combina-
tions are excellent as well. Fresh fruit and vegetable juic-
es can be made in a juice extractor or purchased ready-
made (be sure to buy juices without any added sugars).
Some of the benefits of drinking raw juice versus bottled
are that it does not stimulate digestion (hunger) and it
maintains all of its enzymes and nutritional value.
• Expect some physical discomforts because of the detox-
ification process, especially on the second day. You may
have fleeting hunger pains or dizziness. Withdrawal from
caffeine and sugar may cause headaches, but it is a part
of the detoxification process. Physical annoyances may
12also include weariness, tiredness, nausea, and sleepi-
ness.
• During an extended fast, remember that your body will
be going through a detoxification process. Take care to
attend to issues if any arise.
Helpful Hints for Your Fast (Spiritual)
• Seek advice and permission before the fast. Seek medi-
cal advice before the fast, especially if you have any
existing medical concerns or conditions. If you are under
18 years of age, discuss your desire to fast with your
parents. Spiritual covering, submission, and unity are
important factors when fasting. Discuss your plans with
your church leaders. Remember, fasting is an attitude of
the heart! Ask them if they would consider fasting with
you.
• Fast and pray in order to humble yourself and purify your
worship. In fasting we are not trying to get something
from God but seeking to realign our hearts’ affections
with His.
• Do not boast about your fast. Let people know you won’t
be eating only if necessary (Mt. 6:16–18).
• Do the fast with someone else. Two are better than one!
We encourage parents and kids to consider fasting to-
gether. Several generations fasting together has a pow-
erful impact.
• Have a clear target as your prayer focus. Without a vision
(a clear, prophetic prayer goal), the people perish. Write
down your vision, so you can run with it (Hab. 2:2).
• Take time to pray and read the Word of God as the cen-
terpiece for your fast.
• Expect to hear God’s voice in the Word, dreams, visions,
and revelations. Daniel prepared himself to receive rev-
elation through fasting (Dan. 10:1–2). There is a fasting
reward (Mt. 6:18).
• Prepare for opposition. On the day of a food fast you
can bet that donuts will be at the office or in class. Your
13spouse (or your mom) will suddenly be inspired to cook
your favorite meals. Press through. Many times, you may
feel more tension build at home. Satan tempted Jesus
on the 40-day fast, and we must expect the same.
• If you fail, do not give in to condemnation. Even though
you may fail several times, God always extends grace.
• Feel free to rest a lot and continue to exercise with su-
pervision.
• Breakthroughs often come after a fast, not during it. Do
not listen to the lie that nothing is happening. It is our
conviction that every fast done in faith and with a pure
heart will be rewarded.
How to Successfully Break or End Your Fast
• Break your fast gradually. Break your fast on a meal that
is light and easy to digest (i.e., a pound of grapes, a
shredded apple, watermelon, or steamed vegetables).
• When breaking a fast of ten days or more, the break-in
period should be extended one day for every four days
of fasting.
• A fast of three days or more should never be broken by
eating a normal meal (including animal proteins, bread,
sugar, dairy, and processed foods) because these heavy
foods put a severe strain and shock on the digestive or-
gans which have been resting throughout the fast. Eating
too heavily after a fast can produce serious discomfort
(stomach cramps, nausea, and weakness) and can nullify
the physical benefits of fasting; it can also cause serious
irreversible complications or even death.
• After breaking an extended fast, continue drinking fruit
or vegetable juices because the stomach is continuing to
detoxify.
• During any fast exceeding two days, your stomach will
shrink. Do not over-expand it again by overeating. If you
have been prone to eating too heavily, guard against
going back to this habit. If you train yourself to eat more
lightly, your stomach will adjust itself accordingly.
14• While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add
the following:
• 1st–3rd day after the fast (increase number of days for
extended fast): Eat fruit and raw/steamed vegetables
only. Example meals for the first few days are a pound
of fruit, a baked or boiled potato without butter, steamed
vegetables, or a vegetable-only salad without oil-based
dressing. Avoid bananas for the first few days; they have
no juice in them and can easily cause constipation.
• Thereafter, you may return to heavier foods such as ani-
mal proteins but maintaining a healthy diet after the fast
will promote lifelong health and allow you to fast cor-
rectly in the future.
• Take extra care in breaking a water fast. Begin with
drinking fruit or vegetable juices and gradually ease into
eating fruit and steamed vegetables.
• It is important after a fast to begin to discern between
real hunger and cravings, so you do not feed your crav-
ings.
Other Important Medical Information
• Pregnant or nursing mothers should never fast all food
and/or drink, as fasting could be very dangerous to their
baby’s development and health, and their own personal
health.
• If you have a diagnosed illness and/or are taking pre-
scription medicine, fasting should only be done under
the direct supervision of a doctor or healthcare profes-
sional.
• Some people have trouble fasting and become extremely
hungry, dizzy, and nauseous because they have undi-
agnosed low blood sugar, so they should drink fruit and
vegetable juices to help keep the blood sugar stable dur-
ing short fasts. If the juice contains too much sugar for
your system, dilute it by 50 percent with water or drink a
“green drink” (made by juicing carrots, celery, spinach,
and parsley).
15A 21-Day Devotional for Prayer and Fasting
DAY 1: THE FAST THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen…?” (Isaiah 58:6)
Isaiah 58 focuses detailed attention on the promises of God
associated with the blessings and benefits of fasting with
proper motivation. This single chapter offers 20 specific
promises of God’s direct blessing for His people who engage
in “the fast that [He] has chosen.”
Isaiah 58 reveals what God values most. Isaiah starts
with a call to repentance. And why? It initially looks like
His people are doing the right things by seeking Him daily,
delighting in His ways, doing righteousness, searching out
God’s laws, delighting in approaching God (v. 2). Like me,
you may have initially asked, “What is wrong with that?” The
people ask “Why have we fasted? … Why have we afflicted
our souls?” (v. 3). We find in God’s response that His people
would find pleasure in their fasts, fast for strife and debate,
and to make their [own] voices heard on high. It very much
sounds as if they were fasting with a focus on themselves
and to coerce God to hear them and to bless. They were try-
ing to make their own “if / then” rules (i.e., if we do this, then
God will do this). However, in God’s sight, their motives were
not pure. Through Isaiah, He instructs His people to examine
their motivations.
God then starts in Isaiah 58:6 sharing His desires for His
people—to see them set free, fed, housed, clothed; to heal
their afflicted souls; and so on. It is a passionate focus on
God’s faithful love and care. Verse 13 addresses whether
we live for ourselves or for God. Throughout Isaiah 58, God
gives His own “if/then” statements. He offers His people
many promises, saying “the glory of the Lord shall be your
rear guard… you shall call and the Lord will answer.”
Do you want a freshness of God in your life? Personal
revival? Perhaps it is simply a need to align yourself to the
16values and nature of God. We trust that by going through
Isaiah 58—and examining your heart in the light of God’s
word—you will be challenged to properly align yourself to
God.
In your time seeking God today:
• Reread Isaiah 58 and underline all the “if” statements.
In your prayer journal list out all the benefits in Isaiah 58
(normally these come after a “then”).
• As you go through this full and rich chapter, highlight or
underline all the action verbs that have to do with loving
or serving others.
• In your prayer time today, thank God for who He is and
what He has done for you. Also, dedicate or re-dedicate
these days to Him and ask Him to reveal areas in your
life that may need to be refocused on godly priorities
Related Scripture: John 13:1-13; Matthew 20:26
DAY 2: REPENTANCE
“Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Ja-
cob their sins. . . . “Is this not the fast that I have chosen
. . . ” (Isaiah 58:1,6).
Being sorry and being repentant are two completely differ-
ent things. All of us have witnessed a child who is sorry for
the way things have turned out. As a parent, your reaction
to this is completely different than if the child comes to you
with a repentant heart – sorry for the outcome and also for
their part in creating the outcome.
You might remember when the Israelites went to conquer
the land that was promised to them. In Numbers 14:39, we
read that the Israelites were “overcome with grief” because
of the word of judgment Moses just brought to them, declar-
17ing they would not enter the promised land of Canaan.
They were sorry because of the way things turned out
– they were not repentant for their stubborn hearts of
unbelief that caused the outcome. They wanted to receive
their portion of the land regardless of their lack of faith. This
lack of repentant, believing hearts caused them to go in
the opposite direction the Lord desired. They were clearly
instructed in 14:25 to retreat in order for them to get their
hearts right. Instead, they mustered up their strength and
with the wrong heart pursued God’s promises. The result
was chaotic: they were routed and did not enter the land
that God had promised His people.
Repentance positions us to receive God’s promises!
Being sorry for how things have turned out and then imple-
menting a fix with our own strength will have a disastrous
outcome. Let us deeply consider our “transgressions” and
“sins” and come together to this time of repentance and
fasting with contrite hearts, as we consider what the Lord
has for us from these meditations on Isaiah 58. Just as with
Israel’s blindness and unbelief in Joshua’s day, so had the
people to whom Isaiah was prophesying lost their way. Yes,
they were fasting and praying, but with the wrong motives
and therefore, for the wrong reasons. We can learn much
from them in our own day.
In your time seeking God today:
• As you proceed through these devotionals focused on
fasting and repenting, ask the Lord how you how you
can go beyond being sorry and to being repentant.
• Search your heart for any ways you have attempted to
provide solutions to life’s problems without consulting
the Lord.
• Commit to the Lord that you will pursue His solutions to
problems, even when it takes a giant leap of faith. Re-
18member, our faith pleases God (see Hebrews 11:6).
• If you are fasting, dig deeply into Isaiah 58 to let God’s
Spirit work with you on your motivations.
Related Scripture: Numbers 14:30-45: Isaiah 58:1-6
DAY 3: LOOSING THE BONDS OF WICKEDNESS
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the
bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let
the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
(Isaiah 58:6)
Isaiah 58:6 pinpoints four specific results God wants from
His chosen fast: 1) to loose the bonds of wickedness; 2) to
undo the heavy burdens; 3) to let the oppressed go free;
and 4) that you break every yoke. Today we will look specifi-
cally at the first one, “to loose the bonds of wickedness.”
God makes a clear statement that His fast should result in
loosing bonds of wickedness in one’s life. A bond is some-
thing that binds or hinders someone from being free. This
refers to spiritual bondage, and people who are so bound
are unable to free themselves without outside assistance,
no matter how hard they try. Are you aware of any bond of
wickedness in your life?
“Wickedness” here may mean attitudes of pride and self-
will, not necessarily sins of the flesh.
We are good at seeing such bonds in our nation, society,
and even in the larger Church. We will see later in Isaiah 58
how God will use individuals like you and me to help loose
those bonds of cultural and national sins. But there is a
vitally important first step. We must personally be set free
from the bonds of wickedness in our lives—both those
we are aware of and those we don’t know are there.
19In Matthew, chapter 7, Jesus said we easily see the speck
in another person’s eye, yet have a plank in our own eye.
He also said we should first remove the plank from our own
eye, and then we can see to remove the speck from our
brother’s eye. In Psalm 139:23-24 David writes, “Search me,
O God, and know my heart…and see if there is any wicked
way in me.”
There may be bonds of wickedness in our own lives that
we are not aware of. If King David asked God to search his
heart, and Jesus said His disciples must remove planks
from their eyes before trying to help others, such cleansing
action no doubt applies to us today. Part of self-humbling
is to submit ourselves to God, asking Him to search
us fully to reveal bonds of wickedness. Only when such
“blind spots” are revealed can we take action to become
free.
In your seeking God time today:
• Offer God your entire heart. Ask Him to search it com-
pletely and to reveal today, and as you read these devo-
tionals, bonds of wickedness in your life that you are not
aware of.
• Search your own heart, and write down any bonds of
wickedness in your prayer journal that the Lord shows
you. Tell Him you want to “turn from…wicked ways” (2
Chron. 7:14). Leave room to write down areas that God
will show you in the future.
• Address the issue of “bonds of wickedness” without
becoming too introspective. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide
you and to show you truth. This is very important to
avoid self-condemnation.
• Ask God to break these bonds that He shows you today
and during these days.
Related Scripture: Psalm 139; Matthew 7
20DAY 4: UNDOING HEAVY BURDENS
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the
bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let
the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
(Isaiah 58:6)
In Isaiah 58, the Lord rebukes His people for their hypoc-
risy. God hears Israel honoring Him with their mouths, but
the people’s wicked actions show that their hearts were far
away from Him. Yahweh implores His people to do away
with the pretense of ceremonial fasting and other superficial
religious activities; instead, He asks Israel to truly set them-
selves apart by walking in His ways.
Our focus today is to draw close to Jesus by “undoing the
heavy burdens.” What does this mean? If obedience pleas-
es our King, then we must try to understand God’s instruc-
tion.
Just as Israel did in Isaiah’s day, we, as Christians in the
more affluent Western world, also have the tendency to
overlook and even add to the pain of others because of our
self-absorption. Instead, God wants us to remove calluses
that can easily form around our hearts in this busy day
and wicked age, so we will see and respond to the suf-
fering of others. As we become aware of “neighbors” in
need, it is both a duty and our privilege as Christians to be
like the Good Samaritan in compassion to lighten their load.
Have you ever carried around a heavy backpack for a
while, taken it off, and felt almost weightless after removing
the substantial load? I have. For a few moments after the
weighty pack’s removal, it’s almost like I can fly! God asks
us to take off the loaded-down burdensome backpacks
of pain, suffering, and oppression we see our neigh-
bors carrying, so that they too may experience spiritual
21“weightless” joy and fly with perfect peace. For a busi-
ness owner who has employees, it means treating your
people with kindness, offering fair wages, and giving words
of encouragement for a job well done. For the working mom
living in suburbia, it means taking the time in her already
busy schedule to walk around the block and pray for those
hurting who live just yards away. It means making dinner
for a new mother overwhelmed with an infant. Lifting the
weights off another’s back is simply to love your neighbor as
yourself. Jesus said this was the second-greatest love, right
after our full love for God (Matthew 22:38).
In your time seeking God today:
• Ask God to show you if have been unkind by adding
weight to someone else’s shoulders. Have you caused a
loved one unnecessary stress? Have you not done your
part? Have you been greedy, demanding, or just not had
the time for someone in need? Repent of anything that
God brings to mind. There will be no condemnation from
God.
• Pray that God will open our eyes and hands to the hurt-
ing and oppressed. Ask Him to show how to love your
neighbors, so that we all carry life’s loads together in
unity.
• Rejoice and be glad when Jesus gives you opportunities
to show Christ’s love in tangible ways. Gives thanks for
all the times the Lord has enabled you to help others!
Related Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 22:38-39;
Luke 10:25-37; Acts 20:35
DAY 5: LETTING THE OPPRESSED GO FREE
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the
bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let
22the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”
(Isaiah 58:6)
Do you ever experience spiritual oppression? Do you know
of others who do? Oppression means “to keep down by
severe and unjust use of force or authority or to overwhelm
or crush” others. In general, oppression is not caused by cir-
cumstances but through an intentional effort from another’s
will or action. If you are aware of areas where you feel op-
pressed, it would be good to list those areas in your prayer
journal. The good news is that you can find spiritual victory
over oppression.
In the areas of oppression, you most likely can tie the cause
of that oppression to a certain person, group of people, or
to times of spiritual defeat. As Christians, we know that we
do not “wrestle against flesh and blood” but against demon-
ic forces. We know the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The reality
is that the devil absolutely hates all believers. Think about it:
the devil was once one of the highest angels charged with
worshiping God. Now, that privilege of worship on earth has
been given to the Church – to all believers. We believers are
made in the image of God, which the devil cannot claim. We
have been given the Word of God and authority to use the
name of Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit in us, been given
spiritual gifts, and are called sons and daughters of God. No
wonder the devil hates us!
Our charge is this: to realize where true oppression
comes from and to deal with it as such. Oppression
caused from a spiritual source must be dealt with in the
spiritual realm. You cannot fix your oppression through
natural means alone. How do we do this? We use God’s
prescription. We follow Scripture to “resist the devil.” We
pray for those who persecute or oppress us, and we for-
give them. We give thanks in all things, pray in the name of
Jesus, and use the Word of God as the “sword of the Spirit”
23against our enemy, Satan. And having done all, we stand.
(See Ephesians 6:10-18.)
In your seeking God time today:
• In your prayer journal, list out any areas in your life where
you feel oppressed.
• List the people you feel cause the oppression, if applica-
ble, and take time to pray for them. By continuing to pray
for them you will find that any bitterness or resentment
will begin to fade with time. Seek to forgive anyone who
has hurt you or harmed you. Forgiveness is always a key
toward lifting oppression.
• Ask God, in the name of Jesus, to set you free from any
oppression.
• Have you oppressed anyone or used your authority to
overwhelm someone? Ask God to search you and re-
veal anyone, past or present, whom you may have op-
pressed. If so, repent to God, consider what you can do
to correct the wrong, and ask forgiveness.
• Do you feel we are oppressed as a country or as the
Church? List the areas in your prayer journal and pray for
them on a regular basis.
Related Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18
DAY 6: BREAK EVERY YOKE
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen . . . and that you
break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
Have you ever seen a yoke? A yoke is a double harness
placed on large animals such as oxen or water buffalo.
24A yoke can be used on a single animal but is most com-
monly used to link a pair of animals together. Metaphorically
speaking, the Bible often uses the word “yoke” to speak of
subjection or servitude. With a yoke in place, even a child
may take control over a large powerful water buffalo that is
20 times his size. God has never been into yokes. He is
always into freedom. Jesus came ultimately to set us free
from sin, death, and from heavy yokes. Instead of our being
in an oppressive yoke, He invites to take His yoke, which He
said is easy (Matthew 11:28-30).
An oppressive yoke is something you can’t break on your
own. Someone else has to do it for you. That is what Je-
sus came to do. Attached to yokes of bondage are always
heavy burdens that weigh us down and cause us to move
slowly in life. What yokes might you have in your life? How
would the Lord desire to set you free?
In the same way, there are people around you with all sorts
of yokes that control their lives. They simply aren’t able to
break some of them on their own. Sometimes we can actu-
ally be the “yoke makers” in other people’s lives. We can at-
tach heavy burdens to them and cause them to be subservi-
ent to us in various forms. Are there people in your life upon
whom you have perhaps placed a yoke of bondage?
What we should be are yoke-breakers. Whether we have
created the yoke or someone is struggling with their own
yoke we should look for every opportunity to help that per-
son become free. This is the ultimate point of this Scripture.
People all around us are pulling heavy burdens due to sin,
unforgiveness, guilt, their busy schedules, hatred, jealousy,
religious requirements, and so on. Jesus was a yoke-
breaker and calls us through this passage to be one as
well. Who do you know struggling with a yoke and how can
you help? A yoke-maker or a yoke breaker, the choice is
yours.
25In your time seeking God today:
• In your prayer journal, list the yokes in your life that may
cause unnecessary burdens or make you subject to
them. Then offer the list to the Lord, asking Him to set
you free.
• Think of those around you who have yokes in their lives.
Ask the Lord to show you what your role might be to be
a yoke-breaker in their life.
• Ask God to show you if there is anyone that you may
have put a yoke on for any reason. Pray for forgiveness
and ask Him to show you how you can break that yoke
from that person’s life. One of the first steps is often to
ask that person for forgiveness.
• If you are a parent who is trying to lead and influence
your children toward a life of righteous living and godly
decisions, pray for divine wisdom to impart spiritual
principles that they embrace because of their own grow-
ing relationship with Christ rather than a list of legalistic
rules. That’s not to throw out the absolutes of what is
always right and what is always wrong, but their lives will
be stronger if they choose for God’s glory than merely for
parental favor.
Related Scripture: Matthew 11:29-30; Acts 15:10; 2 Corin-
thians 6:14-16; Galatians 5:1
DAY 7: UNSELFISHNESS
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that
you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when
you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide
yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7)
A Christian mom wanted to give her two young sons a les-
son in unselfishness. She had two pieces of cake, one larger
26than the other, so she said, “Remember, boys, Jesus would
always give away the larger piece of cake.” “Okay, Bobby,”
said the older brother to his sibling, “You can be Jesus!”
We may smile at the story, but isn’t that the way we often
act? Isaiah 58:7 pinpoints four areas God looks for in the
fasting He will bless. But He is not seeing a certain vir-
tue among His people. What’s missing? The call running
through the chapter is to unselfishness. Stated another way,
God says, “You are self-centered, not aware of those
needing help.” Consistent with other biblical snapshots of
God’s heart, He is saying, “Open your eyes; reach out to
those who have little or nothing. Share food and clothing
with the poor and needy; invite friends for a meal who can-
not pay you back. And don’t turn from your family.” Para-
phrased another way: “Yes, you are fasting and praying,
but too focused on your own stuff; trying to impress me, as
though I do not see your heart.”
Are we in tune with God’s heart? He who is kind to the
poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him (Prov. 19:17).
The New Testament projects the same attitudes. Paul wrote to
the Philippians: Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others (2:4). And James
writes, Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and
daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep
warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical
needs, what good is it? (James 2:15-16). God looks at the
heart, not only our actions, but our motivations. The empha-
sis is on God’s love for the poor. By application, we serve
Father God by serving others. If you have been careless
here, God is pleased to forgive. Why not search out a char-
ity in your area, a food bank, clothing giveaway—some way
to give back?
In your time seeking God today:
• Offer God your heart in worship and repentance. Ask
27Him to reveal areas in which you might have fallen short
in sharing. Are you as unselfish as you could be? Ask
for faith to become more generous with your time and
finances. God blesses a giving heart.
• Search your own heart in faith. God will not condemn,
but always lead you upward to greater victory. Ask for
renewed hunger and thirst for righteousness; you will be
filled.
• Write down in your prayer journal what God reveals to
you about giving.
• Look for tangible ways to share your life. Try to reach
out in faith. Do you have a skill that can be volunteered?
Perhaps pack boxes or deliver groceries at a local food
bank? What opportunities does PABC offer? Consider a
worthy charity nearby? Is there way to bless an orphan-
age or serve special needs children?
Related Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:11; Psalm 82:3-4;
Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 21:13; Proverbs 29:7; Matthew
25:37-40; Luke 14:12-14; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 13:3
DAY 8: LIGHT, HEALING, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your
healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteous-
ness shall go before you.” (Isaiah 58:8)
Throughout Isaiah 58, we can easily see how the Israelites’
spiritual insensitivity masked the fact that merely fasting for
religious ritual or outward show was causing their efforts
to go unnoticed by God. Yahweh was more interested in
their attitudes than their activities. Following the contrast
between observing the Law’s requirements mechanically
and engaging in an intimate heart connection with the Lord
personally, Isaiah reveals a critical turning point with the
28word “then” (Isaiah 58:8). Essentially, the Lord is saying, “If
you will make the move from religion to relationship, let
me tell you the good news of what will happen in your
life!”
The first blessing will be a bursting forth of light in your
darkness. No one enjoys walking in darkness—physical or
spiritual. Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus re-
vealed his religion had brought him only to a place of dark-
ness and disorientation (Acts 9:1–4). Not until he spent three
days fasting and praying, did Saul receive a vision of some-
one coming to help him. Through intimate communion with
Christ, Ananias was moved to obedience and used to im-
pact the kingdom of God. By helping the future Apostle Paul
receive sight and Holy Spirit empowerment, Ananias played
an integral role in evangelizing the known world in his day.
The second promise included an immediate restoration of
spiritual wholeness. We tend to view healing more from
only a physical standpoint, but God is able to take seem-
ingly impossible issues of our dysfunctional world and turn
them around in an instant. However, He sometimes chooses
to continue shaping and molding His people in the furnace
of adversity so that they may testify of Him in the arena
of victory and deliverance. Although Paul’s blindness was
immediately healed, he later reveals a struggle with an un-
named thorn in his flesh that remained as a testimony of
God’s grace and strength in his weakness (2 Cor. 12:7–9).
His righteous living in spite of his infirmity became a display
of God’s goodness for all to see. His testimony to the Corin-
thian church might well be a lesson to us all.
In your time seeking God today:
• Ask yourself the question: “Am I stumbling in the dark-
ness of religious ritual or walking in an obedient rela-
tionship with Christ?” The right response from believers
could mean the dawning of a new day in America.
29• Praise God for His ability to bring light into darkness and
radically transform your life as a display for His glory.
Thank Him for His protective presence as a “rear guard”
for you personally and intercede for a godly covering
over the nation.
• Pray and believe, asking God to reveal arenas where you
may need to share a testimony of personal healing or
pray for others to be delivered from spiritual blindness.
Related Scripture: Isaiah 61:1–4; Acts 9:1–20
DAY 9: WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING TO YOU?
“… Then your light shall break your forth…Then you
shall call… [God] will say, ‘Here I am’ … The Lord will
guide you…satisfy your soul…a watered garden…a
spring of water…If you turn away your foot from [abus-
ing] the Sabbath…Then you shall delight yourself in the
Lord…” (Isaiah 58:8, 9, 11, 13, 14)
We are almost at the mid-point of 21 days of repentance
and fasting, meditating on themes from Isaiah 58. Because
God’s Word is what it is, we are receiving His truth in our
“inward being” (Psalm 51:6) and making renewal decisions.
Receptive hearts lead believers to new levels of repentance
that bring freedom, releasing them from bondage. The Holy
Spirit shows us our failures and “besetting sins” not to con-
demn, but so they can be laid aside for better choices. By
His power we are liberated to move onward and upward. We
all fail, but we need not stay there. The Apostle Paul wrote
that he was “knocked down but never knocked out” (2 Cor-
inthians 4:9, Phillips). The psalmist said, “Today, if you hear
His voice, do not harden your hearts …” (Psalm 95:8). Sanc-
tification is progressive, and by God’s grace we see things
now that God wants to change in us, whereas a few months
or years ago we didn’t realize such things were displeasing
30to Him.
This brings us back to Isaiah 58, for as we saw in yester-
day’s devotional, the chapter is not intended to be a series
of rebukes leading to hopelessness, but, instead, a series of
conditional promises, whereby God is saying, “If you will
obey my words, if you will practice the redemptive acts
that reflect my heart, turning from selfish ways, I will
bless you beyond measure. I am scolding now so you will
turn from your own perspectives (self-centered) to embrace
my ways (gracious, serving, giving, liberating). If you demon-
strate repentance (turning around), I will actually be at your
service, standing by to help you; your lives will flourish,” and
so on (promises and blessings these devotionals reflect day
by day).
As is our Father’s merciful way, He gives the choice to us.
What will I do? Live life as He has planned and directed
and be enriched, or continue in my selfish ways and miss
the full level of blessing He desires for my life? By God’s
grace, I choose His way. I’m sure you will too.
In your time seeking God today:
• Offer God your heart in worship and repentance. Have
you sensed areas where you feel you have fallen short of
God’s ideals for your Christian journey?
• Ask for grace to walk on a higher plane. God always
blesses a humble, repentant heart. The key for all of us
is first to humble ourselves. Pledge to Him a renewing of
your mind by digging more deeply into His Word (Ro-
mans 12:2).
• Ask Father God to open His Word and His ways to you.
The Holy Spirit will not condemn but encourage you.
• Ask Him for renewed hunger and thirst for righteousness;
you will be filled (Matthew 5:6).
31• Record in your prayer journal what you are “seeing” and
“hearing” through these devotional meditations.
Related Scripture: Psalm 95:1-8; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; 2
Chronicles 7:13-14; Psalm 23; Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Thessalo-
nians 3:3; Matthew 5:6; Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter
5:5
DAY 10: TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS
“. . . Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your
righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord
shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8
In Jesus’s time on earth, the most disciplined religious lead-
ers were the scribes and Pharisees. They knew the Scrip-
tures better than any other people of the time and followed
the law very diligently. Yet they were missing the very core
of what they were to do. Jesus was dealing with the same
religious attitude in His day that God spoke through His
prophet in Isaiah 58. That is why our Lord said, “For I say to
you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness
of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the
kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20).
Isaiah 58:8 shows us what true righteousness means.
It is a result of daily practicing Isaiah 58:6-7, to set people
free, to love and serve the hungry, poor, and those in need.
Even today we can struggle with the same tendency to
focus on religious acts to display our own “righteousness.”
God is focusing more on the heart, not of “what we do” but
“who we truly are.” Are we people who truly love God, not
just do deeds so we look like we love God? Are we people
who truly love others, and not just people who do deeds
that look like we love others?
Think of Jesus’s reputation. Did He truly minister to people,
32care about them, feed them, set them free, love them, and
meet their needs sacrificially? Did He consider others
ahead of himself? What was the righteousness that went
before Him? It was inner righteousness, the “real thing”
and not for show.
Can you think of an example of someone you know, some-
one whose righteousness “goes before” him or her? How
do you feel when they walk into the room? People who ex-
hibit this kind of righteousness tend to always speak kindly
about other people, look to serve others above themselves,
and are genuinely loving. If others who know you well are
reading this devotion would they think of you as this type of
example? What is the righteousness that goes before you?
In your time seeking God today:
• Read Matthew chapter 23. What similarities do you see
in the Pharisees that relate to what God is addressing in
Isaiah 58:1-8?
• In your prayer journal, list anyone you think is an ex-
ample of having an Isaiah 58:8 righteous reputation that
goes before him or her.
• Think about qualities that those people in your list have
and why they made your list.
• Ask God to help you take stock in your life and show you
the righteousness He cares about.
• Think about the difference between religious righteous-
ness versus the Isaiah 58 righteousness. How does this
apply to you personally? How do you think this applies
to the Church as a whole? Finally, how does this ap-
ply to our nation? Spend some time to repent for any of
these areas that you see a need (personally, the Church,
and for our nation).
33Related Scripture: Matthew 5:20; Matthew 23
DAY 11: GOD FIGHTS FOR US
“… and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”
(Isaiah 58:8)
Imagine you are a soldier in battle, with heavy armor, includ-
ing a shield and sword. Your army is battling a formidable
opponent, and spirits are low. You are outnumbered. Waves
of fiery arrows from the enemy have created fear and divi-
sion in the ranks. Your comrades are barely hanging on, and
hopes of winning are slim. But your army stands its ground,
refusing to give up, knowing its cause is a worthy one.
Suddenly, someone near you yells, “Look behind you!” You
turn to see enemy reinforcements riding in on horseback
and closing fast. For the first time since the battle began,
panic explodes like a bomb. Soldiers scream and are para-
lyzed. This new band of warriors cannot be overcome. It’s
over. Your side is finished. But then—without warning—an
expansive light fills the void between your army and the
sleek horses. It is bright and beautiful beyond words. Blaz-
ing light bounces off your armor, as the moon’s light reflects
the sun’s brilliance. The enemy gropes in sudden darkness,
blinded by the dazzling brightness. Their horses rear up in
confusion, and their foot soldiers flee. The Father of Lights
has shown up to fight for you! A few minutes later, all is
quiet. The picture is clear: the battle is over, and your side
has won.
In today’s verse, God says that if we obey His commands,
“…righteousness will go before you, and the glory of
the LORD will be your rear guard.” Our righteousness
“goes before us” to help defeat the enemy and gain ground
for the Kingdom of God. The sword of the Word fends off
our foe, and our shield of faith blocks the fiery arrows that
would otherwise take us out. Sometimes, though, when life
34gets tough and reserves are low, we get overwhelmed. We
feel surrounded, defeated, and weary of doing good. It is in
these moments that God shows up to fight for us. Our Lord
Jesus, in heaven, is constantly interceding on our behalf. At
the moment we are weakest, God shows His strength. He’s
literally a friend who’s “got our back”!
In your time seeking God today:
• Think about the some of the battles raging in your life
and in your mind. Are you weary in any area? Ask God
to help you make wise and righteous choices as you
fight the good fight of faith. Remind Him of His promise
in Isaiah 58 to be your rear guard when you are worn out
from battle.
• Thank Father that He fought the battle for your soul and
won! Praise Jesus because He is constantly interceding
for you even now.
• Thank Him that you always are given a way out when
temptation comes.
• Remember always that in New Testament terms, our
Lord has already won the battle though the cross, His
resurrection, and His ascension to heaven, where He
prays for His own.
Related Scripture: Exodus 14:9; Romans 8:34; Ephesians
6:10-18
DAY 12: TAKING AWAY THE YOKE
“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall
cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.” If you take away the
yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and
speaking wickedness . . . (Isaiah 58:9)
35This is the chapter’s second reference to “the yoke.” In
verses 6 and 9, the yoke represents bondage, oppression,
and servitude. In verse 6, God’s says (paraphrased), “Your
fasting is religious duty, not an act of worship, and not ac-
ceptable. You do the motions but ignore your sins. You act
like ‘free’ people, but you are not. Where is your heart?
You must ‘break’ every yoke [i.e., never to be applied
again].” Harsh words, yet consistent with God’s principle
that repentance and changed behavior precede His blessing
and release into true freedom. Verse 9 brings strong exhor-
tation: “Take away the yoke from your midst.” Here, God is
addressing individual behavior, admonishing to “remove”
three things from one’s life: 1) “the yoke”; 2) “the pointing of
the finger”; and 3) “speaking wickedness.” For application,
turn to the New Testament (NT).
There are two primary references to “the yoke” in the NT.
The first parallels Isaiah 58. Written by the Apostle Paul to
the Galatians, it is his strongest letter of reproof. Paul con-
fronts false teachers who insisted salvation depended, in
part, on keeping the law. Listen! “Stand fast therefore in the
liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entan-
gled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Had Paul
just remembered Isaiah 58 in his quiet time? He condemned
those trying to add to the Gospel or attempting to gain favor
with God by doing religious works. Good works, done out
of love for God, follow faith. We are saved by grace, and
we serve by grace. The Gospel stands alone; it is a rela-
tionship, not servitude.
Good News! There is yet another NT yoke. Our Lord gave
this invitation to the people in His day and, through the Gos-
pel, to us. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” It
is He who removes the burden and invites us to walk and
serve with Him.
36In your time seeking God today:
• Offer God your heart in worship and repentance. Have
you recognized areas where you have fallen short of
God’s ideals for your Christian journey? Repent, and ask
God for grace to walk on a higher plane. God always
blesses a humble, repentant heart.
• The key for all of us is first to humble ourselves. Pledge
to Him a renewing of your mind by digging more deeply
into His Word (Romans 12:2).
• If you are a newer believer, ask Father God to open His
Word and His ways to you. The Holy Spirit will not con-
demn but encourage you. Ask Him for renewed hunger
and thirst for righteousness; you will be filled (Matthew
5:6).
• Record in your prayer journal what you are “seeing” and
“hearing” through these devotional meditations.
Related Scripture: Psalm 95:1-8; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; 2
Chronicles 7:13-14; Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:3;
Psalm 23; Matthew 5:6; Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter
5:5
DAY 13: STOP POINTING THE FINGER
“…take away the yoke… the pointing of the finger, and
speaking wickedness…” (Isaiah 58:9)
Some of us who have spent our whole lives in church have
gotten used to the “sanctified life.” We pray, go to church,
worship, and read our Bibles. We may have gotten so used
to living our lives with Jesus that we’ve forgotten what it
must be like to live without Him. Worse, because we forget,
we often become ungrateful for all God has done for us.
We don’t remember that we were once far away from God,
hopeless, and lost. Before Christ saved us from our sinful
state, we were on a path to destruction. It’s ONLY because
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